Robotron Jon
Well-known member
Keep looking around, you can get a nice DMD machine for $400-$500. I know it's doable because I've done it.
Gotta be quick though.
Gotta be quick though.
Starting to look for an 80's pinball, suggestions please...
- Thread starter OldTymeToys
- Start date
Three words:
Heavy Metal Meltdown.
- M1A
Heavy Metal Meltdown.
- M1A
OP
OP
AWESOME suggestions so far!
I looked at almost every one in this thread on ipdb.org and here's what my feeling is so far:
TOPS on my list:
- Fathom
- Sorcerer
- Grand Lizard
- Black Knight
- Escape from the Lost World
But, could I get any of these for under $800? I remember seeing a Grand Lizard somewhere on here go for around $750. I might have to bump up my range a bit, but I just can't see putting over a grand into a pin... YET.
MIDDLE of the road list:
- Meteor
- Lightning (image might be more PG-13)
- Lost World
Roller Games, Taxi and Heavy Metal Meltdown just don't appeal to me AT ALL. I've heard where pin players can like a pin, even if they don't like the theme. Not me.
Paragon might be too strong imagery for my kids.
I looked at almost every one in this thread on ipdb.org and here's what my feeling is so far:
TOPS on my list:
- Fathom
- Sorcerer
- Grand Lizard
- Black Knight
- Escape from the Lost World
But, could I get any of these for under $800? I remember seeing a Grand Lizard somewhere on here go for around $750. I might have to bump up my range a bit, but I just can't see putting over a grand into a pin... YET.
MIDDLE of the road list:
- Meteor
- Lightning (image might be more PG-13)
- Lost World
Roller Games, Taxi and Heavy Metal Meltdown just don't appeal to me AT ALL. I've heard where pin players can like a pin, even if they don't like the theme. Not me.
Paragon might be too strong imagery for my kids.
Last edited:
robxf
New member
Opinion from a guy that only has one pin: Get something with ramps. I love my firepower but i miss the challenge of multilevels.
The ones on your list are in the definite realm of your price range EXCEPT for the Fathom... I noticed even beat to hell ones can go for a good penny!
sosage
Well-known member
When I see a Firepower/High Speed/Gorgar that is worth over 1K, it is usually in extremely nice shape. Especially the playfield, which for these having a chewed up playfield is considered the norm. I've yet to see a Gorgar without significant paint loss somewhere on the playfield IRL or a High Speed whose playfield isn't worn and screwed up somewhere on the mylar (and the mylar is supposedly more of a nightmare than usual to remove/repair on that game). Those three in particular were also very high runs (at least HS was).
That entire era you need to be very cautious of playfield wear. This was well before the protective layers modern pins received.
That entire era you need to be very cautious of playfield wear. This was well before the protective layers modern pins received.
OP
OP
Huh... I omitted these from my list because I thought they would be easily over $1000! I would say Firepower would be in my middle pack and I think the backglass of Gorgar is too scary for the kids. The theme on High Speed doesn't do it for me.
Hmmm... so you're saying if the playfield has wear and I'm a noob- it's gonna cost me...
If you're ever out this way, let me know a few days in advance. I have a Black knight you can try to make sure you like it. I have a Lost World too, which may or may not boot, but if I know you're in the ares, I can work on it.
Chris
OP
OP
Cool- thanks Chris. We plan to visit wifey's family sometime in July- I'll call you when things are more definite.
Pinwizkid
Member
If you're looking for medieval and want something a little newer, Swords of Fury is a great underrated game, but may be a bit too dark for the family. The original Black Knight is a great choice, but may be just out of your price range. Grand Lizard, as you mentioned, is a nice choice as well. In that range, I think the best game you can get, though not a medieval theme is Firepower.
-BB
-BB
Lost World is an okay pin... But you certainly want something with ramps and multiball.
Game Show is a family friendly pin and a blast to play! From 1990 though
Game Show is a family friendly pin and a blast to play! From 1990 though
dasvis
Member
Whatever you get, be picky about the playfield condition & possibly backglass. Mechanicals & electronics can (usually) be fixed fairly cheaply & easily, but a heavily worn playfield is tough to fix & expensive to replace.
TnP
New member
I also have a Lost World, but I think if it was my ONLY pin, I would be sick of it in no time at all.
A Williams pin like the ones suggested already would be a great idea.
Fathom for 600-800?? LOL good luck with that one. Awesome machine but it demands a steep price
I love the early Bally's and own( and love and will never get rid of) a Flash Gordon but it's a hard, unforgiving game so I would not recommend it as an only pin.
Might I also suggest a Mr & Mrs Pacman (also a Bally) - I love it - plenty of drop targets and good fun.
Join uuuuuusssss!!! haha.
A Williams pin like the ones suggested already would be a great idea.
Fathom for 600-800?? LOL good luck with that one. Awesome machine but it demands a steep price
I love the early Bally's and own( and love and will never get rid of) a Flash Gordon but it's a hard, unforgiving game so I would not recommend it as an only pin.
Might I also suggest a Mr & Mrs Pacman (also a Bally) - I love it - plenty of drop targets and good fun.
Join uuuuuusssss!!! haha.
OP
OP
Thanks- besides the obvious visual signs of wear, are there any "hidden" playfield areas to look for?
I heard that the Ballys are a lot easier to troubleshoot than some of the other manufacturers from that era- is that true?
Mr. & Mrs. Pac-Man? Meh.
I'LL NEVER JOIN YOU! *he screams in his best Luke Skywalker-with-his-hand-cut-off voice*
Another fantastic Williams game (in my opinion) is Police Force.
Ramps, multiball, great sounds. well executed theme, and family friendly. But tall. Needs a bit more space than a regular pin (height wise).
Another medieval themed game that I like is Big Guns.
That's all
Chris
Ramps, multiball, great sounds. well executed theme, and family friendly. But tall. Needs a bit more space than a regular pin (height wise).
Another medieval themed game that I like is Big Guns.
That's all
Chris
Yes, if the game has drop targets, make sure they are all functional and NOT cracked. Check the flipper coils too - make sure you're not getting into a rebuild and re-sleeve any time soon. They should be nice and snappy.
Yes, Bally has a better self-test than Williams. But there's enough documentation out there for most manufacturers.
OP
OP
Another fantastic Williams game (in my opinion) is Police Force.
Ramps, multiball, great sounds. well executed theme, and family friendly. But tall. Needs a bit more space than a regular pin (height wise).
Another medieval themed game that I like is Big Guns.
That's all
Chris
Big Guns looks pretty cool- kind of a medieval/space theme. But for $600-$800?
Rock it. Thanks!
OP
OP
There's a Bally X's and O's for sale locally for $425. It's working, looks to be in nice shape with new rubbers installed. Is this a crappy game? Trying to figure out why it's $425. I kinda like the backglass- it's got that cave man/prehistoric feel to it...
Brother, if I were you I would attend the next pin show and try these out first hand. Everybody has different tastes. While one person might like one pin, two others will think it's crap...
I would probably steer away form Gottliebs for now unless it was from the System 3 era...
Bally/Stern - are more reliable. The only caveat I had working w/ these are switch matrix issues. Which sometimes, can be a pain in the ass to trace. By far, the best artwork out of this era!
Williams - I would say are the easiest to work on and the most robust - my opinion....
You can throw Data East and Sega in there, but you might have to bump your price bracket up....
I would probably steer away form Gottliebs for now unless it was from the System 3 era...
Bally/Stern - are more reliable. The only caveat I had working w/ these are switch matrix issues. Which sometimes, can be a pain in the ass to trace. By far, the best artwork out of this era!
Williams - I would say are the easiest to work on and the most robust - my opinion....
You can throw Data East and Sega in there, but you might have to bump your price bracket up....
OP
OP
Yeah, I wish this would've come up last month so I could've attended the Allentown show! Oh well, I'll try and play a few. Someone suggested to emulate these. I get it that emulation just wouldn't be close, but it might work since the pins I'm looking at aren't too in depth playfield-wise.
